Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields activate the ERK cascade, increase hsp70 protein levels and promote regeneration in Planaria.

International journal of radiation biology · 2009 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4947

Exposure to a 60 Hz, 80 milliGauss intermittent modulated ELF-EMF increased regeneration during the initial 3 days post-transection (especially in tails) and accelerated first appearance of eyes in tail portions (day 7 vs 48 h later in sham). ELF-EMF-exposed …

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2009

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: To use regenerating Planaria Dugesia dorotocethala as a model to determine whether an intermittent modulated extremely low frequency electro-magnetic field (ELF-EMF) produces elevated levels of the heat shock protein hsp70 and stimulates intracellular pathways known to be involved in injury and repair. We focused on serum response element (SRE) binding through the extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Planaria were transected equidistant between the tip of the head and the tip of the tail. Individual head and tail portions from the same worm were exposed to a 60 Hertz 80 milliGauss ELF-EMF for 1 h twice daily for 15 days post-transection under carefully controlled exposure conditions. The regenerating heads and tails were photographed and the lengths measured at three-day intervals. In other experiments, the timing of the appearance of pigmented eyes was monitored in the tail portion at 12-h intervals following transection in both ELF-EMF exposed and sham control. In some experiments protein lysates were analysed for hsp70 levels, doubly phosphorylated (pp)-ERK, Elk-1 kinase activity and serum response factor (SRF)-SRE binding. RESULTS: ELF-EMF exposure during the initial 3-days post-surgery caused a significant increase in regeneration for both heads and tails, but especially tails. The first appearance of eyes occurred at day seven post-transection in tail portions exposed to ELF-EMF. In the sham control tail samples the initial appearance of eyes occurred 48 h later. Concurrently, ELF-EMF-exposed heads and tails exhibited an elevation in the level of hsp70 protein, an activation of an ERK cascade, and an increase in SRF-SRE binding. CONCLUSION: Exposures to a modulated sinusoidal ELF-EMF were delivered by a Helmholtz configuration at a frequency of 60 Hz and 80 mG twice a day for one hour. This is accompanied by an increase in hsp70 protein levels, activation of specific kinases and upregulation of transcription factors that are generally associated with repair processes.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPlanaria (Dugesia dorotocethala), regenerating head and tail portions post-transection

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 6e-05 MHz · 1 h twice daily for 15 days post-transection (effects noted during initial 3 days)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Regeneration length (heads and tails)
Timing of appearance of pigmented eyes in tail portions
hsp70 protein levels
Doubly phosphorylated ERK (pp-ERK)
Elk-1 kinase activity
Serum response factor (SRF)-SRE binding

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Details of modulation/intermittency parameters not fully specified in abstract
Animal/invertebrate model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 6e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 h twice daily for 15 days post-transection (effects noted during initial 3 days)"
  },
  "population": "Planaria (Dugesia dorotocethala), regenerating head and tail portions post-transection",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Regeneration length (heads and tails)",
    "Timing of appearance of pigmented eyes in tail portions",
    "hsp70 protein levels",
    "Doubly phosphorylated ERK (pp-ERK)",
    "Elk-1 kinase activity",
    "Serum response factor (SRF)-SRE binding"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to a 60 Hz, 80 milliGauss intermittent modulated ELF-EMF increased regeneration during the initial 3 days post-transection (especially in tails) and accelerated first appearance of eyes in tail portions (day 7 vs 48 h later in sham). ELF-EMF-exposed samples showed elevated hsp70 protein levels, activation of the ERK cascade, and increased SRF-SRE binding.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Details of modulation/intermittency parameters not fully specified in abstract",
    "Animal/invertebrate model; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "60 Hz",
    "80 mG",
    "Planaria",
    "Dugesia dorotocethala",
    "regeneration",
    "hsp70",
    "ERK cascade",
    "SRE",
    "SRF",
    "Elk-1"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1080/09553000903072488
PubMed: 19639507

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